So you want to make a difference. You have a dream for a better future. You want to make an impact.
The next step is to try and make it happen within our sphere of control.
While positive personal, individual responses are necessary, it turns out that trying to convince others to "do what I did" isn't a particularly effective way to achieve a large-scale impact.
Attempting to control the situation based on your frame of reference isn't is not the determining factor in creating impact.
Collaboration might be.
This isn't to say that individual stories don't matter. They matter because they are all different. But listening and sharing is more important than convincing and justifying.
Collaboration, not co-opting.
Coordination and cooperation by communication, not command.
Imagine the solutions for housing we might arrive at if we wove our stories together:
- Simpler living in smaller spaces designed for neighbours, not purchasers.
- Coordinated, activated and populated public areas that are accessible to all.
- Households who know households. Neighbours who know neighbours.
- Cross-generational and cross-cultural living within a neighbourhood rather than demographic segregation.
- Shared facilities for making, fixing, growing, playing and being.
- Literal, and potentially common ownership of local commercial activities.
- Educational environments that extend outside the institution into our streets, parks, back yards, garages and kitchens.
- Urban design dominated by spaces for people, not cars.